3

Chapter 3

James didn't come home all day.

Rebecca's Instagram was updated again.

The first photo showed a long dining table at a banquet.

Under the luxurious lighting, the Harrington family gathered around her, bustling and warm, as if welcoming an honored guest.

The second photo showed the most senior member of the family, Mrs. Harrison, holding Rebecca's hand, smiling so hard her wrinkles bunched at the corners of her eyes. The caption read:

"A new life is coming. The warmth this family has missed for so long."

The third photo was of James.

He sat beside Rebecca, turning to pull out her chair, his movements natural and tender, like the most ordinary scene in the world.

I froze.

In our six years together, he'd only taken me to the Harrington house once.

That time—

It was just a perfunctory introduction.

After some polite small talk, he checked the time and urged me to go home. We didn't even stay for a meal.

But now?

Rebecca, carrying his child, had relatives fighting over who could seat her in the place of honor.

I even saw a relative comment:

"Finally meeting the mother of our future little angel!"

My fingers loosened, and my phone dropped onto the couch.

My chest felt like it had been hollowed out.

The person who loved him most was me.

But the person he cherished wasn't me.

That evening, I called my friend Sarah out for drinks.

Sitting across from her, I downed the glass in one go.

"The wedding with James is off."

The air went silent except for the music.

Sarah shot to her feet. "You've liked James for so many years, you were finally about to get married... How can you just cancel like that?"

I gripped the glass, my knuckles white. "Because I finally saw clearly."

I told Sarah everything that had happened.

Sarah cursed out loud. "James, that bastard—!"

She hugged me, her eyes red. "Ellie, you deserve so much better."

I closed my eyes, letting myself rest in that embrace for a moment.

I knew that from this moment on, I had to let go of all false hopes.

When I got back to the apartment, it was three in the morning.

As soon as I opened the door, the living room light suddenly turned on.

James stood by the entryway, his expression dark.

He strode toward me, immediately catching the smell of alcohol from the bar.

His brow furrowed sharply. "How much did you drink?! Are you crazy? Getting this drunk!"

I looked up at him.

Was he worried because I'd been drinking?

No.

He was afraid I'd cause trouble for him during his "savior's pregnancy."

I pulled my arm back coldly. "It's none of your business."

He looked like I'd provoked him, grabbing my shoulder.

"Stop right there. We need to talk."

I froze. Was he going to bring up having a child with Rebecca again?

But she was already pregnant. There was nothing left to discuss.